Shadow Slave

Usually, it would have taken Kai a lot longer to fly across the city to reach the tranquil terrace district… not that he would have. But today, the famous idol neglected his habit of staying low and out of sight. It seemed that his speed increased tremendously, as well, because ten minutes later, he was already at Sunny's door.

Maybe because of that, there was no crowd of paparazzi following him.

As they waited for Cassie, Effie rummaged through the empty refrigerator, then walked away from it with a disappointed sigh.

"There's no food!"

Sunny, who was evaluating the damage the boisterous huntress had done to the guest bedroom, glanced at her darkly.

"We've been gone for months. What did you expect?"

Effie made a sad face, then shrugged.

"But I'm hungry!"

Sunny let out an exasperated breath.

"...I have some synthpaste, if you want."

She shuddered and opened her mouth to retort, but at that moment, there was a knock on the door. If not for the haughty shadow standing guard outside — reluctantly, of course, since mundane tasks such as this were grossly beneath it — Sunny would have tensed up.

However, he already knew that it was Cassie.

The blind girl walked inside, froze for a moment, then raised a deliciously smelling package.

"...I brought food."

quick glance at Kai and

has some

stare at the archer

almost hypnotizing quality. It was easy to get distracted if one

different degree. After studying Kai and Cassie for a bit, Sunny couldn't help but shake his head ruefully, a stunned expression on his face. He finally understood

quality that no one he had ever

And Sunny himself?

couldn't call himself unassuming anymore. The scrawny kid from the outskirts was gone. Instead, a

threads of

around the table

have been exhilarated by their triumph over the Nightmare, none of the four seemed too joyous… well, except for Effie, who couldn't stop grinning and stealing glances at her pristine, vigorous body.

just felt… hurt, tired, and

on no matter how deep the wounds dealt to their souls cut. Now that the danger had passed

the Ivory City… all of it was

of demons to quell,

cup of tea, looked at Sunny, and asked

happened? I don't remember much after being swallowed by

and stared at the archer with

what? You were swallowed by

Kai smiled with embarrassment:

jumped into his mouth. Because I didn't know

times, but didn't say anything. She

down,

challenger for a while. He fell for my deception because he had assumed that I would not trust anyone with the knives, I think. After you killed the dragon, there was no real reason for him to stay. He left to salvage at least some rewards before the Nightmare ended, and I

quiet for a few moments,